Olive's Ribbed Tights

Olive’s Ribbed Tights are a pair of staple tights that are essential during your baby’s first year.  The tights are worked in the round from the top down using 1 strand of Merino, Cotton Merino or Pure Silk.  

You start by working the drawstring channel before shaping the back with short rows and then continuing with working each leg separately.  The heel is an inserted type heel, also called ‘peasant heel’ or ‘forethought heel’ and it is very similar to an ‘afterthought heel’ – the heel stitches are knit onto a spare piece of yarn and then picked back up and the heel completed after the rest of the foot is finished.  An i-cord drawstring is inserted into the drawstring channel, or alternatively, replaced by a 1 cm [½”] wide elastic. 

Sizes: 1-3 (6, 9-12) months
Finished measurements: Length from waistband to heel: approx. 39 (44, 49) cm [15¼ (17¼, 19¼)]”; Leg length from crotch to heel: approx. 21 (25, 29) cm [8¼ (9¾, 11½)]”; Waist circumference: approx. 33 (39, 42) cm [13 (15¼, 16½)]”.  Note: The fabric is very elastic due to the ribbing and will stretch to fit 
Yarn: Knitting for Olive Merino, Cotton Merino or Pure Silk (250 m [273 yd] / 50 g [1.8 oz]), fingering-weight yarn, 1 (2, 2) ball(s). Sample is in Merino in Soft Rose colorway 
Needles: 2.5 mm / US1.5 circular or double-pointed needles and 2 double-pointed needles size 3 mm / US2.5 for the i-cord drawstring, or in size to obtain gauge 
Gauge (after blocking): 33 sts and 46 rows = 10 cm [4”] in 3x2 rib pattern with 2.5 mm / US1.5 needles 
Notions: Stitch markers, waste yarn in a contrasting color, stitch holders, tapestry needle, safety pin